Baseball

Penny injury less serious than feared

MIAMI - Marlins right-hander Brad Penny said his hyperextended pitching elbow felt better Saturday, and he hopes to miss only one start.

Penny left Friday's game against Atlanta in the first inning after hurting his elbow while warming up.

"When I woke up, it wasn't stiff or anything," he said.

The 255-pound Penny had to postpone an MRI exam scheduled for Saturday because he was too big to fit in the examination tube. He's scheduled to receive anesthesia and have the procedure today.

"You can't breathe, so they're going to put me to sleep," Penny said.

Also, Marlins centerfielder Juan Pierre doubled in the first for his 186th hit, surpassing Luis Castillo's team record of 185 set last season.

SHEFFIELD CHASTISES TEAMMATES: Braves slugger Gary Sheffield says the team should be more upset about its mediocre record the past five weeks.

The Braves have had a big lead in the NL East for months, and they're on the verge of winning their 12th consecutive division title. But a loss Friday at Florida left them 21-19 since Aug. 1. They were 71-37 before.

"The laid-back attitude, I don't really like it," Sheffield said. "These games count."

OBITUARY: John Welaj, who spent 63 years as a player, manager and front-office executive, died in Arlington, Texas. He was 89. Mr. Welaj was an outfielder with the Washington Senators and Philadelphia Athletics. He joined the Washington front office in 1957 and served the Senators and Rangers in various positions for the next 43 years.

THE DEVIL YOU SAY: Former New Jersey Devils defenseman Ken Daneyko grounded out to shortstop in his professional baseball debut with the independent Newark Bears. Daneyko, who retired this summer after 18 years with the Devils, signed a one-day contract after impressing the team during a batting practice workout.

D'BACKS: Right-hander Curt Schilling threw long toss for several minutes and almost has a full range of motion in his neck. He is the probable starter Tuesday.

ORIOLES: Outfielder Melvin Mora left in the fourth after crashing into the rightfield wall while trying to make a catch. Mora grabbed his left knee and was down for about five minutes. He was helped onto a cart and taken to the hospital for X-rays.

ROYALS: Right-hander Jose Lima, out with a right groin strain, threw 73 pitches in a five-inning simulated game and felt no pain.

WHITE SOX: Right-handed closer Tom Gordon was not with the team after returning home to Florida because of his uncle's death.